Things you may not know about Julian Assange

WikiLeaks Founder, Julian Assange has led a very interesting and controversial life which has been at the centre of global debate

It is believed that Julian Assange chooses to live in Sweden because the country's media laws are among the world's most protective for journalists

She said: “Given that proceedings have come to an end, and the kind of warrant it is, the argument has no status because it’s attached to ongoing proceedings.”

Mr Assange was made an Ecuadorian citizen in December in an attempt to resolve the political stand-off over his continued presence in the UK.

However, the UK refused to grant him diplomatic status which would have given him legal immunity and the chance to leave the embassy.

Mrs Arbuthnot said evidence handed to the court citing Mr Assange’s medical problems included a “terrible bad tooth, a frozen shoulder and depression.”

Defence papers handed to the court read: “He (Assange) has spent five and a half years in conditions, which on any view, are akin to imprisonment, without access to adequate medical care or sunlight, in circumstances where his physical and psychological health have deteriorated and are in serious peril.”

Aaron Watkins, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, said Mr Assange’s argument for having the warrant dropped was “strange and untenable”.

Watkins added: “Assange had been released on bail in proceedings; he was under a duty to surrender to the custody of the court and he failed to surrender at the appointed time for him to do so.